Universal drilling rig

ABSTRACT

A drilling apparatus for exploratory oil and gas drilling is provided, such apparatus having a derrick comprising a plurality of component parts for assembly on site. Components of the derrick are hingedly connected for ease and convenience of erection. Hydraulic means are provided for the various operative functions of the apparatus. The primary motive power is supplied from an internal combustion engine source which may be augmented as desired to enable the apparatus to be employed throughout a wide range of drilling operations.

United States Patent 1151 3,669,196

Hokanson et al. June 13, 1972 [54] UNIVERSAL DRILLING RIG [56] Refereneg cjg q a [72] Inventors: Lyle W. Hokanson, Kirkland Lake, On- U STATES PATENTS tario; James R. Savage, Swastika, Ontario; 1,884,297 10/1932 Sclater et al. ..l73/l51 X I; P ms ith, Ki kl d L k om i 2,265,987 12/1941 Anderson et al.. ..173/159 Gilbert Lev-sic; William Khss, both of 3,351,142 11/1967 Wilderman .....l73/44X Swastika, Ontario, all of Canada Primary Examiner-Emest R. Purser [73] Assignee: Heath & Sherwood Drilling Limited, K1r- An W i -,M h ll,MaRa&La b

kland Lake, Ontario, Canada 22 Filed: Jan. 6, 1971 [57] ABSIRACT 1 A drilling apparatus for exploratory oil and gas drilling is pro- [21] Appl 104384 vided, such apparatus having a derrick comprising a plurality of component parts for assembly on site. Components of the 52 us. c1. ..173/44 166/79 173/151 hinge!!! cmmemd and 173/159 erection. Hydraulic means are provided for the various opera- [51] Int Cl Ezlb 15,00 tive functions of the apparatus. The primary motive power is I supplied from an internal combustion main: source which [58] Field ofSearch ..l73/43,44,151, 149,159

may be augmented as desired to enable the apparatus to.be employed throughout a wide range of drilling operations.

10 Chins, 13 Drawing Figures UNIVERSAL DRILLING RIG This invention relates to a drilling rig which may be employed in drilling exploratory oil and gas wells to obtain core samples.

Presently available drilling rigs are usually classified in depth ranges of 2000 to 4000 feet, 4000 to 8000 feet, 8000 to 10,000 feet, and so forth. It is not uncommon that a depth program originally estimated at, say, 4000 to 5000 feet is extended to 8000 or even 10,000 feet. This necessitates an exchange of a complete drill outfit to accommodate the greater depth.

The derricks employed in conventional rigs are usually erected piece by piece on site. Thus, a very substantial amount of construction work is necessary before a rig is ready for operation.

The structural and transportation problems incidental to these requirements are well-recognized and are greatly accentuated when a rig is to be placed in operation in a location where accessibility and surrounding conditions present difficulties. The far north is an example of such a location.

The present invention seeks to provide a single drilling rig which is capable of performing drilling operations throughout a full range of, say, to 15,000 feet with convenient augment ing of the power supply as required.

The invention also seeks to provide a drilling rig whose portability factor has been greatly improved. To this end, the components thereof have a size and bulk that make it possible for them to be transported in a single-engined small aircraft.

The invention further seeks to provide a drilling rig the components of which are subject to convenient and rapid assembly and erection at the site.

The drilling rig of the invention broadly comprises a derrick having a housing block and means for attaching a drill rod string to the block. A winch is adapted to be connected to the block to impart raising and lowering movement to the block and drill rod string. A drilling head is provided with a chuck for reception of the drill rod string, the chuck being mounted for up and down reciprocal movement in the head as well as for rotative movement. Hydraulic power means are provided for selectively operating the winch, and for imparting reciprocal and rotating movement to the chuck. Hydraulic pump means provides the motive power for the hydraulic means and internal combustion engine means are provided to drive the pump means. Operation is controlled by valves in the fluid lines from the pump means and electrical control means for actuating the valves.

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a derrick in accordance with the invention with related elements,

FIG. 2 is another side elevation of the derrick,

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are side elevations of the derrick showing a sequence of erecting positions thereof,

FIG. 6 is a layout in plan of a drilling rig in accordance with the invention, the derrick having been omitted for clarity of illustration,

FIG. 7 is a front elevation of the drilling head of the invention,

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the head,

FIG. 9 is a wiring diagram of the electrical control system,

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a pump actuating mechanism,

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a cam operated means for controlling the mechanism of FIG. 10,

FIG. 12 is an end view of the cam operated means of FIG. 11, and

FIG. 13 is an elevation of a power swivel means which may be employed with the rig of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, inclusive, the derrick or tower, with associated elements, is indicated generally at 10. It comprises two main legs 11 each having a lower portion 12 and an upperportion 13 hingedly connected at 14 in end to end relation. Each portion 12 has two braces 15 each having an'end hingedly connected at 16 to the upper end of portion 12. It

will be observed that each of the tower portions and braces comprise a plurality of sections, 12a, 13a, 15a, which may be bolted together on site. Breaking of these portions into, say, five foot sections greatly facilitates their loading and transportation in, for instance, a small aircraft.

A partial sequence of steps for erection of the tower on the desired site is shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. A base 17 of timber or the like is first laid down and a platform 18 assembled on the base. It will be apparent that the parts of the platform are desirably brought to the site in disassembled form.

The free ends of leg portions 12 are hingedly mounted at 19 on the base with the various members of the tower resting on the ground surface (FIG. 3).

One of the braces 15 is swung into the position shown in FIG. 3 and a cable 23 attached to its free end and to the free end of upper portion 13. A cable 20 is also attached to the free end of the same brace 15 but is otherwise disconnected for the time being.

Referring to FIG. 4, a cable 21 has one end fixed to the free end of upper portion 13 and is strung by means of guide pulley 22 onto a winch 22a. Operation of the winch to exert a pulling action on cable 21 will cause .the upper portions 13 to commence a jackknife movement with respect to portions 12 which will commence a swinging movement about their pivotal connections.

When the position of FIG. 5 is reached, cable 21 is disconnected from winch 22a and cable 20 connected thereto. In FIG. 5, the lower portions 12 are now in perpendicular relation to the base, the other braces 15 are now in a position that they may be hingedly connected at 24 to the platform, and upper portions 13 still have their free ends resting on the ground.

Operation of the winch to pull cable 20 will cause the upper portions 13 to be cantilevered onto and in alignment with the lower portions 12, thus reaching the final positions thereof. The braces to which the cable 20 are connected are now in position to permit their free ends to be hingedly connected at 24 to the platform (FIGS. 1 and 2).

FIGS. 1 and 2 include a crown block 25 on the derrick, sheaves 26 on the block, cable 27, hoisting block 28, and connection 29 to drill rod string 30. Drilling fluid is put into the drill string through a fluid swivel 30a and hose 30b. The drill string extends through head 31 (to be later described in detail), mounted on platform 18 on which also are mounted main drawworks winch 32, wireline winch 33, and additional equipment to be later described.

The power means for the rig is a self-contained hydraulic system, energy being supplied by a motor preferably of diesel type. A second diesel engine may readily be incorporated in the system should additional power he required.

Referring to FIG. 6, which shows a general layout of the apparatus of the invention, 34 and 35 are diesel engines constituting the power source therefor. Diesel 34 drives a main hydraulic pump 36 and an auxiliary hydraulic pump 37. Pump 36 is connected to a hydraulic control panel 38 by hydraulic lines 39,40 and pump 37 is connected to the panel by hydraulic line 41. Line 42 is a suction line from a tank 50 to the pump 37.

Diesel 35 also drives a main hydraulic pump 43 and an auxiliary hydraulic pump 44. Pump 43 is connected to the panel 38 by hydraulic lines 45,46 and pump 44 is connected to the panel 38 by hydraulic line 47, 48 being a suction line from tank 50. 7

All return flow oil from the hydraulic system is directed into a manifold 49 and from there back to a hydraulic reservoir 50.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, head 31 is mounted on a base 51 which is slidingly supported on slides 5.2 fixed to platform 18. The drill rod 30 is adapted to be supported by a chuck 53 carried by a shaft 54 through which the rod extends. Shaft 54 is rotatably mounted in a member 55. Rotation is imparted to the shaft 54 (with chuck 53 and drill rod 30) by means of pulley 56, drive belt 57, pulley 58, and drive shaft 59 of hydraulic motor 60 which is connected by hydraulic lines 61,62 to control panel 38.

The assembly and the drill'string carried thereby is mounted for vertical reciprocal movement by means of a pair of upright posts 63 on the base 51, a sleeve 64 slidingly mounted on each post, and an arm 65 fixedly connecting each sleeve with the member 55.

Means'for imparting such vertical reciprocating movement comprises a pair of hydraulic cylinders 66 mounted on base 51 and each having a pin or roller 67 received in a recess 68 in an arm 69 fixed to a sleeve 64. Each cylinder has hydraulic connections 70,71 with control panel 38.

As previously indicated, the entire head assembly is mounted for lateral sliding movementon slides 52 whereby, as required, it may be moved to provide a clear space to work while, for instance, raising or lowering the rod. Means for imparting such lateral movement comprises a hydraulic ram 72 connected to a fixed frame member 73 and having hydraulic connections 74,75 with control panel 38.

The main winch 32 (FIG. 6) has a drive shaft 76, driven through transmissions 77,78 by hydraulic motor 79 with hydraulic connections 80,81 with panel 38. The transmissions provide a variation of up to 10 speeds. The winch is provided with a brake 82 with hydraulic connections 83,84 to a control valve 85 connected to panel 38 at 86.

The wireline winch 33, which may be of conventional form, has a drive shaft 87 driven by a hydraulic motor 88 having hydraulic connections 89,90 with a pump 91 driven by a diesel engine 91a.

Power tongs 92, also of conventionalform, are operated by a hydraulic motor 93 having a hydraulic connection 94 with a pump 95 by a diesel engine 96.

Actuation of the control panel 38 to perform the various operations is by means of electrical control boxes 97 and 98. The electrical power required is supplied by a generator (not shown) driven by one of the engines.

Box 97 has three push buttons 99 for Up" and Down and Stop control of the head cylinders 66 through a solenoid valve 990 in the hydraulic connections 70,71 in the panel 38.

Box 98 has six push buttons 100 and indicated in FIG. 9 as 100a Start"; 100b Stop; 100c Brake On; 100d Start; 1002 Stop"; and lf Brake Off". These buttons control the rotation of either the winch motor 79 or, the head motor 60, a selector switchv 101 being provided to select each control system.

Pumps 36 and 43 selectively provide the motive power for head motor 60 or winch motor 79. These pumps are operatively controlled by a cam system illustrated in FIGS; 10, 11 and 12. I

I The control arms of pumps 36 and 43 are hookedat 36a and 43a to an operating rod 104 rotatably mounted in bearings 102 and- 103 fastened to pump mountings 105,106. Rod 104 extends through a housing 107 in which a cam 109 is keyed to the rod.

Cam 109 is pivotally mounted at 110 for swinging movement on a support 108. The cam has lateral projections 112 upon which the limit switch roller 150 runs as the cam rotates back and forth. Reciprocating rods 111 of cylinders 113 are pin connected at 114 to the cam 109. The cylinders are hydraulically connected in such a way as to cause retraction and extension of rods 111 in proper sequence to cause the cam to oscillate. I i

To start either the head motor or the winch motor, the operator pushes the appropriate button 100d or 100a, which actuates solenoid valve 117 to put oil into the respective cylinder 113 through connections 115,116. As the cam swings one way or the other, it rotates rod 104 to actuate the cor.-

responding pump and at the. same time actuates limit switch 118. Limit switch 118 activates brake solenoid valve '85 controlling oil flow to the brake 82 to release it for operation of the winch or to apply it when the winch motor is stopped, i.e.,

when cam 109 returns to the center position shown in FIG. 1 1, such position being defined by a notch 109a in the cam surface.

After a preliminary depth has been drilled by the hydraulic head described, further drilling may be efl'ected by replacing the head by a'power swivel such as shown in FIG. 13. The power swivel 119 hangs from cable 27 and the hydraulic motor therein is provided with hydraulic connections 120,121. This unit is placed on top of the drill rod string 30 and rotates the string, taking the place of the hydraulic head described. The weight to drill is obtained from the drill string weight itself, this being the reason that an initial depth of hole must be drilled with the head pull down. The torque reaction is from the swivel and taken out by a cable 122 running from top to bottom of the tower and attached to a torque arm 123 fixed to the swivel. Drilling fluid flows to the rods through pipe 200 attached to the swivel.

A flow control valve 124 is provided in the hydraulic head I supply line 70. By controlling fluid flow, the drill can be set to vance under light load conditions.

The solenoid valve 99a is energized in response to pump pressure to cause the drill rod and bit to be automatically raised when such pressure reaches a predetermined level. This device is designed to prevent burned and stuck bits.

During drilling, the head and winch operations are closely related in that the winch is adjusted to balance out the tare load of the drilling rod. This is done by having an independent low volume, pressure adjustable feed of oil going to the winch hydraulic motor, while the main flow of oil from pumps 36 and 43 is going to rotate the rods. The adjustable pressure settings then compensate for an infinite number of rod tare adjustments. The cutter load is then applied by the hydraulic cylinders 66 of the head. This procedure allows load control independently of rod string length, accurate rod location and accurate tare adjustment. 2

An optional manner of applying cutting pressure is used when the power swivel is being used. Members 201 and 202 hydraulic motor starts to feed off the cable from the winch very slowly feeding the rods down. The speed of .feed off" determines cutting pressure. 1

There has thus been provided a hydraulically powered drilling rig with automatic hydrostatic braking, automatic line feed, separate winch and head operating means, and separate operating means for the wireline winch. These components permit accomplishment of the required operating characteristics. Moreover, they result in overall weight and dimension characteristics that permit transportation of all items in a single-engine aircraft.

We claim:

l. A drilling rig which comprises a derrick having a hoisting block and means for attaching a drill rod string thereto, a winch for connection to said block to impart raising and lowering movement to said block and drill rod string, a hydraulic motor drivably connected to said winch, a drilling head having a chuclefor reception of said drill rodstring, means mounting said chuck for up and down reciprocal movement in a direction parallel to the axis of said chuck and for rotation about said chuck axis, hydraulic power means for imparting said reciprocal movement to said chuck, a hydraulic motor mounted on said head and drivably connected thereto to rotate said chuck, hydraulic pump means for supplying 3. A drilling rig as defined in claim 1, including a platform, said head having a base slidingly mounted on said platform for lateral movement of said head, and hydraulic power means connected to said pump means for imparting said lateral movement to said head.

4. A drilling rig as defined in claim 1, said derrick comprising a pair of main legs each having a lower section and an upper section hingedly connected in end to end relation, each of said lower sections having a pair of braces hingedly connected to the hingedly connected end thereof.

5. A drilling rig as defined in claim 1, said winch having a brake, hydraulic means for operating said brake, and hydraulic fluid lines connecting said pump means and said hydraulic motors, said hydraulic power means and said brake-operating means.

6. A drilling rig as defined in claim 5, including a control valve in said fluid lines operable to selectively energize said winch hydraulic motor and said head hydraulic motor.

7. A drilling rig as defined in claim 5, said pump means comprising a pump for supplying hydraulic fluid through said lines to said head motor, and a pump for supplying hydraulic fluid through said lines to said winch motor, each pump having a control arm, an operating rod connected to said control arms and rotatable in opposite directions to selectively energize said pumps, a cam fixed to said operating rod and swingably mounted to impart rotative movement to said rod in opposite directions, hydraulic cylinder means to impart swinging move ment to said cam, hydraulic fluid supply lines connected to said cylinder means, and a valve in said cylinder means supply lines to select the direction of said swinging movement.

8. A drilling rig as defined in claim 5, including control valve means in said fluid lines for causing independent operation of said winch hydraulic motor and of said head hydraulic motor.

9. A drilling rig as defined in claim 8, including electrical control means for actuating said control valve means.

10. A drilling rig as defined in claim 9, said fluid lines including fluid supply lines for said hydraulic motors, said electrical control means including a pressure-actuated switch responsive to fluid pressure in said fluid supply line for said head motor, said fluid lines for said hydraulic power means having a valve therein actuable by said switch to raise said head. 

1. A drilling rig which comprises a derrick having a hoisting block and means for attaching a drill rod string thereto, a winch for connection to said block to impart raising and lowering movement to said block and drill rod string, a hydraulic motor drivably connected to said winch, a drilling head having a chuck for reception of said drill rod string, means mounting said chuck for up and down reciprocal movement in a direction parallel to the axis of said chuck and for rotation about said chuck axis, hydraulic power means for imparting said reciprocal movement to said chuck, a hydraulic motor mounted on said head and drivably connected thereto to rotate said chuck, hydraulic pump means for supplying hydraulic power to said hydraulic motors and said hydraulic power means, and internal combustion engine means drivably connected to said pump means.
 2. A drilling rig as defined in claim 1, including hydraulic fluid supply lines connecting said pump means and said hydraulic motors, said fluid supply line for said head motor having a flow control valve therein to control speed of rotation of said head.
 3. A drilling rig as defined in claim 1, including a platform, said head having a base slidingly mounted on said platform for lateral movement of said head, and hydraulic power means connected to said pump means for imparting said lateral movement to said head.
 4. A drilling rig as defined in claim 1, said derrick comprising a pair of main legs each having a lower section and an upper section hingedly connected in end to end relation, each of said lower sections having a pair of braces hingedly connected to the hingedly connected end thereof.
 5. A drilling rig as defined in claim 1, said winch having a brake, hydraulic means for operating said brake, and hydraulic fluid lines connecting said pump means and said hydraulic motors, said hydraulic power means and said brake-operating means.
 6. A drilling rig as defined in claim 5, including a control valve in said fluid lines operable to selectively energize said winch hydraulic motor and said head hydraulic motor.
 7. A drilling rig as defined in claim 5, said pump means comprising a pump for supplying hydraulic fluid through said lines to said head motor, and a pump for supplying hydraulic fluid through said lines to said winch motor, each pump having a control arm, an operating rod connected to said control arms and rotatable in opposite directions to selectively energize said pumps, a cam fixed to said operating rod and swingably mounted to impart rotative movement to said rod in opposite directions, hydraulic cylinder means to impart swinging movement to said cam, hydraulic fluid supply lines connected to said cylinder means, and a valve in said cylinder means supply lines to select the direction of said swinging movement.
 8. A drilling rig as defined in claim 5, including control valve means in said fluid lines for causing independent operation of said winch hydraulic motor and of said head hydraulic motor.
 9. A drilling rig as defined in claim 8, including electrical control means for actuating said control valve means.
 10. A drilling rig as defined in claim 9, said fluid lines including fluid supply lines for said hydraulic motors, said electrical control means including a pressure-actuated switch responsive to fluid pressure in said fluid supply line for said head motor, said fluid lines for said hydraulic power means having a valve therein actuable by said swiTch to raise said head. 